These are example Judo-Bots. You can make them so much better. Engineer your bot for combat with different bases and end effectors.

Clay

Challenge Supplies

• Two (or more) assembled Judo-Bots • Extra TeacherGeek components • Arena materials (tape, chalk) • Recycled or found materials • TeacherGeek tools • Timer • Ruler

Difficulty: Easy-Medium

The Challenge: Engineer your Judo-Bot to knock over an opponent or push them out of the arena.

Tip: Build a base to stabilize your Judo-Bot.

Time Limit: Two-minutes

Ready? Get Set!

Go!

If the opponent’s base is outside the arena by the end of two-minutes, they lose on default.

Place your Judo-Bot inside the arena, (no portion of the base should be outside the rectangle).

K.O! Knocking an opponent over is an immediate win!

Start with the bot’s lever arms not touching, nor extending over the opponent’s arena edge.

Battle for Two Minutes!

Both bots in-bounds and upright by the end of two-minutes? It’s a draw!

Judo-Bots need an arena for combat. It consists of two rectangles marked on a flat surface. Use tape or chalk to outline, as shown.

Use hydraulic power to battle your Judo-Bots.

18 cm (7”)

35 cm (14”)

18 cm (7”)

Arena

Place Judo-Bot Here

Place Judo-Bot Here

Note: If both bots are “out-of-bounds” after two-minutes, measure with a ruler to determine which is further from the arena’s edge. Shortest distance wins!

(rules and limits for your design)

• Only hydraulic power may be used to move and control the Judo-Bot. o Hydraulic lines may not be pushed or pulled to move the bot – just pistons.

• The base may not be anchored (taped, screwed, bolted) to the arena surface. • The weight of the Judo-Bot and components may not exceed 250 grams. • Additional materials should be brought in for Judo-Bot designs, if they are:

o TeacherGeek Components o Found & Recycling Bin Materials o Teacher Approved o Non-Hazardous (no sharp edges, harmful chemicals, etc.)

• You will have _____________________ to complete your design challenge.

Fill in how much time you have

The time from building and re-designing your Judo-Bot to the start of the competition.

How Will You Stabilize Your Judo-Bot? The example Judo-Bot base is light and easy to tip-over. Its footprint (dimensions) should not exceed 18 cm x 35 cm. You can design your base to be any size – but consider:

Center of Gravity The center of gravity is the point where your bot is equally balanced. The maximum weight of your Judo-Bot should not exceed 250 grams (0.5 lbs). Where will you place your weight? Will you use heavy or light materials for your base and end effector?

Big bases provide more support, yet are closer to the arena edge.

Small bases are less stable, but further from the arena edge.

High Center of Gravity

Low Center of Gravity

Lowering the center of gravity by placing more weight on the base makes bots more stable.

Raising the center of gravity with heavier end effectors makes the bot unstable. A top-heavy arm is great for whacking opponents!

Base

Fail to follow these constraints? Disqualification!

End Effector

Try Styrofoam, old cardboard, paper, plastic, TeacherGeek components

Trading Force for Distance Your Judo-Bot uses more than hydraulic power to move – levers allow you to trade force for distance in battle.

Input Force (Control Panel)

End Effector

Reposition the base’s cylinder as high on the upright as possible. Is the effort it takes to move the upright easy or difficult?

Reposition the base’s cylinder as low on the upright as possible. Is the effort it takes to move the upright easy or difficult?

Output Force (Motion of the Arm)

Mechanical Advantage

Output Force

Input Force

=

An end effector is the device or tool at the end of your lever arm. Its design changes how your Judo-Bot can battle – slapping, pushing, gripping, and swinging. Use found or recycling bin materials.

Use blocks, screws, tape and hole punchers to attach your end effectors.

Try It Out!

Teachers initial here when students are finished:

Judo-Bot Tally Sheet: Points Scored

Group Names Win! Lose! What happened? [e.g. How did you win or lose? What parts of your design changed? How would you redesign your Judo-Bot for future competition?]

Tally your design’s wins + losses in the chart below. Record notes for the engineering process.

The Engineering Design Process:

You will be using the Engineering Design Process. What does that mean? Your design is never finished! It can always be improved. Fill out a new Engineering Notebook page each time you design/redesign your Judo-Bot.

Use an elimination tournam

ent bracket for class com

petition. This bracket can fit sixteen Jud

o-Bot teams or designs.

TeacherGeek

Intercontinental C

hampionship Belt.